Method and apparatus to enhance lottery participation

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus designed to enhance player participation in lotteries includes a redesigned incentive-based lottery play slip with features designed to increase the chances of all players winning at least some prize, thus providing a real incentive to play and increasing revenue from play slip sales. The inventive play slip preferably comprises a permanent card, reusable for an extended period of time, easily marked and accurately read by optical mark readers and then easily cleaned for the next use, and ultimately recyclable. Alternatively, a traditional disposable play slip may be used still incorporating the inventive features of this invention. The inventive play slip bears one or more of am imprinted serial number ( 12 ) which belongs only to the purchaser of the card; a large space for advertising (IS); one or more extra playing fields over and above the standard number of fields and a series number ( 14 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to lotteries and associatedgames of chance, and more particularly to an improved method andapparatus designed to enhance player participation in lotteries.

2. Background Art

U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,281 to Lovell discloses a game card and associatedplaying method. The game card is used for playing a number game ofchance in which players guess a sequence of a sub-group of said randomlygenerated numbers. The game card and associated playing method comprisesa game card printed with a series of numbers divided into groups ofnumbers each group being associated with a group designator. The playerindicates her guess by selecting the group designator which eithermatches her guess or is associated with the group which contains herguess. The game cards are marked so as to allow scoring by an opticalscanner. The player which correctly guesses the identity and sequence ofa sub-group of randomly generated numbers, such as are randomlygenerated during a bingo or keno game or during a lottery, is thewinner.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,339 to Olson describes reusable bingo cards. A gamesheet, for example for the game of bingo is a flexible PVC sheet reverseprinted with a set of bingo cards. The front surface of the sheet has ananti-glare finish that accepts solvent-based marks and will also allowthe marks to be erased so that the sheet may be reused. The sheets aresupplied in books of sheets for multiple games.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,664 to Kondo teaches a card marking device in theform of a marking instrument comprising a tubular holder having itslower end capped by an ink containing pad of a predetermined geometricalshape and disposed at an acute angle relative to the tubular axis. Thepad may be removable from the tubular holder for replacement by anotherpad of the same or different geometrical configuration. The tubularholder may contain a quantity of erasable marking ink which may bereleased to flow to the pad by the valve means.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,676 to Dayan discloses a method of playing a gameand hardware configuration therefor. The method of playing a gameincludes a first part and a second part. There are a number of suits andunique identifiers therefor. A player chooses at least one identifierfrom a suit for a first part and a game controller also chooses oneidentifier from a suit. The player wins the first part if the at leastone identifier elected corresponds to the identifier chosen by the gamecontroller. At the end of the first part, a second part is played by theplayer electing one identifier for the second part and the gamecontroller choosing an identifier from all identifiers remaining. Theplayer then wins relative to the game controller if the identifierelected corresponds to the identifier chosen by the game controller forthe second part. The game lends itself to lottery type game playingincluding computer game play including game play via the Internet.

United States Patent Application No. 20040145115 by Marshall describes asystem and method for charting numbers games. A play slip chart for alottery game, for example, includes at least one board having aplurality of numbers. The numbers are divided into a plurality of groupsof numbers called positions and further divided into a plurality zones.Each zone is defined by one or more landmark lines. The play slip chartfurther includes a game number recording section and a correct digitrecording section.

United States Patent Application No. 20040254007 by Reep teaches alottery scan tag or card to be used in conjunction with a lotterysystem. It can be simply described as a “scan tag” to be placed on a keychain or “scan card”. The tag or card would have a bar code, metallicstrip or other encryption to be scanned by a reading device. Theencrypted bar code or strip would contain a series of playing numbers;or one serial number (or code of any type) linked to playing numbersand/or player information to be read by said device. Once scanned, avalid lottery ticket (s) will be printed. The ticket (s) will contain aset (s) of numbers assigned to the scan tag or card by the lotteryplayer in conjunction with the lottery agency. A player's personalinformation (name, address, phone) may also be included in theencryption on the scan tag/card for tracking purposes, but only as anoption.

United States Patent Application No. 20050064930 by Jubinville disclosesa lottery system with method for paying multiple progressive jackpots.In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method for awarding atleast a portion of a jackpot amount in a lottery game for a plurality ofplayers. The method may include accepting an entry from each of theplurality of players for an occurrence of the lottery game, wherein eachentry may include a first subset of numbers selected from apredetermined range of numbers, and determining an outcome for theoccurrence of the lottery game, wherein the outcome for the occurrenceof the lottery game may include a second subset of numbers selected fromthe predetermined range of numbers. The method may also includecomparing the first subset of numbers for each of the entries to thesecond subset of numbers for the outcome of the lottery game, anddetermining the number of matched numbers for each entry between thefirst subset of numbers for the entry and the second subset of numbers.Still further, the method may include determining that none of theentries for the occurrence of the lottery game match every number in thefirst subset of numbers for the entry to a corresponding one of thenumbers in the second subset of numbers, and awarding a share of the atleast a portion of the jackpot amount to at least a portion of theentries for the occurrence of the lottery game wherein none of thenumbers of the first subset of numbers of the entry match any of thenumbers in the second subset of numbers for the outcome of the lotterygame.

The foregoing patents reflect the current state of the art of which thepresent inventor is aware. Reference to, and discussion of, thesepatents is intended to aid in discharging Applicant's acknowledged dutyof candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to theexamination of claims to the present invention. However, it isrespectfully submitted that none of the above-indicated patentsdisclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, eithersingly or when considered in combination, the invention described andclaimed herein.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus designedto enhance player participation in lotteries. The invention includes aredesigned incentive-based lottery play slip with features designed toincrease the chances of all players winning at least some prize, thusproviding a real incentive to play and increasing revenue from play slipsales. The inventive play slip preferably comprises a permanent card,reuseable for an extended period of time (e.g., one year), easily markedand accurately read by single or dual optical mark readers and theneasily cleaned for the next use, and ultimately recyclable.Alternatively, a traditional disposable play slip may be used stillincorporating the inventive features of this invention. The inventiveplay slip bears one or more of: an imprinted serial number which belongsonly to the purchaser of the card; a large space for advertising(preferably on the obverse of the card, but alternatively on the front)which would defray the cost for the production of the card; one or moreextra playing panels or fields over and above the standard number offields; and a series number. Additional incentives and/or games (andsub-games) may be added to the play slip over time.

This redesigned play slip will generate more revenue than the currentlottery play slip method by increasing more player's chances of winningmore money. The inventive method is not designed to increase anyplayer's chances of winning the lottery as such but, rather, to givemore players more chances to win something substantial enough to want toplay.

The inventive concept may also be extended to incorporate electronicdevices, video lottery machines, internet-based games, or any otherdevice or medium which uses the basic principles of play slip games, orother associated and inventive games.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved lottery play slip.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved method of playing the lottery.

A further object or feature of the present invention is a new andimproved method to increase lottery participation.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a novelmeans for increasing more player's chances of winning more money in thelottery.

Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as toorganization and method of operation, together with further objects andadvantages thereof will be better understood from the followingdescription considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way ofexample. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawingsare for illustration and description only and are not intended as adefinition of the limits of the invention. The various features ofnovelty which characterize the invention are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of thisdisclosure. The invention resides not in any one of these features takenalone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structuresfor the functions specified.

There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof that followsmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which thisdisclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designingof other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the severalpurposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that theclaims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar asthey do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the international,regional, and national patent office(s) and the public generally, andespecially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art whoare not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determinequickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of thetechnical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neitherintended to define the invention of this application, which is measuredby the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of theinvention in any way.

Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the followingdescription for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting.For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right”would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is madeunless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward”would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, thegeometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof.References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa,unless otherwise noted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A is a plan view of the front and FIG. 1B is a schematic plan viewof the back of an improved lottery play slip of this invention; and

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the back of animproved lottery play slip of this invention, illustrating the serialnumber indicia, advertisement space, extra playing field space, andseries number indicia.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, wherein like reference numerals referto like components in the various views, FIG. 1A is a plan view of thefront and FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view of the back of an improvedlottery play slip 10 of this invention, while FIG. 2 is a plan view ofan alternate embodiment of the back of an improved lottery play slip 10of this invention.

The inventive play slip 10 preferably comprises a permanent card,reuseable for an extended period of time (e.g., one year), easily markedand accurately read by optical mark readers and then easily cleaned forthe next use, and ultimately recyclable. The inventive play slip 10bears one or more features, including but not limited to the following:

The imprinted bonus or serial number 12, which belongs only to thepurchaser of the card, is used to give away a set number of prizes (witha set value) per drawing, and/or can be used as an internet accountnumber, as a separate game, or as a tracking system.

The imprinted bonus code or series characters 14 (numbers, letters, orother symbols) represent a group (a set number) of play slips, and areused to benefit a set number of play slip owners in the form of a bonusassociated with the lesser prizes of the game.

The additional bonus “F” or “free” panel 16 is one or more playing fieldover and above the standard number of fields (e.g., it can be used as asixth panel of a five panel basic game), or a separate game notassociated with the main game, and will be free.

The advertisement/sponsor feature 18 is space for an advertisement(preferably on the obverse of the card, but alternatively on the front)which offsets costs and renders a fee for the right of a sponsor toadvertise on play slips, etc.

The double lesser prize feature could be a play slip unto itself, or anadded basic feature which doubles lesser prizes of the game.

The lesser prize plus bonus feature is similar to the double lesserprize feature except that the bonus would come in the fashion of a setvalue or percentage of lesser prize (percentage or flat rate).

The signature/collectors play slips offer the buyer of the play slip akeepsake.

The extended length feature is designed to accommodate lotteryinformation and/or sponsors, where desired.

The foldable feature is a play slip which can be folded, then placed ina wallet, purse, or pocket, and then unfolded and used, and could beincluded with one or all of the other features.

Security and anti-fraud measures to protect against counterfeiting andfraudulent claims can be accomplished through printing measures andspecial coding 20.

Additional incentives and/or games (sub-games) may be added over time.

The play slips themselves can be produced using various materials suchas special papers, sheet laminates, liquid laminates, and variouspoly-formulas (plastics). The marking systems may vary form pencils topens to markers to crayons, depending upon the materials used.

Accordingly, the invention may be characterized as an improved lotteryplay slip, the play slip having a plurality of playing fields forselection of lottery numbers to be played, the improved lottery playslip comprising a serial number imprinted on the play slip used to giveaway a set number of prizes per drawing. Additional features include animprinted series character representing a group of play slips, and usedto benefit a set number of play slip owners in the form of a bonusassociated with the lesser prizes of the game; an additional playingfield over and above the standard number of fields, used to play a freegame; and an advertisement/sponsor space to offset costs and render afee for the right of a sponsor to advertise on the play slips.

Alternatively, the invention may be characterized as a method to enhanceplayer participation in a lottery, the method comprising the steps ofproviding an incentive-based lottery play slip with features designed toincrease the chances of all players winning at least some prize;providing an imprinted serial number on the play slip which belongs onlyto the purchaser of the card; and awarding a set number of prizes perdrawing based on the serial number. Additional inventive steps mayinclude providing a space for advertising on the play slip to offsetcosts and render a fee for the right of a sponsor to advertise on theplay slips; providing one or more extra playing panels or fields overand above the standard number of fields for a free game; and providing aseries character on the play slip representing a group of play slips,and providing bonus associated with the lesser prizes of the game.

The foregoing disclosure is sufficient to enable one having skill in theart to practice the invention without undue experimentation, andprovides the best mode of practicing the invention presentlycontemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full andcomplete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, itis not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction,dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Variousmodifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents willreadily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, assuitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components,structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operationalfeatures or the like.

Accordingly, the proper scope of the present invention should bedetermined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims soas to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationshipsequivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in thespecification.

1. An improved lottery play slip, the play slip having a plurality ofplaying fields for selection of lottery numbers to be played, saidimproved lottery play slip comprising: a serial number imprinted on theplay slip used to give away a set number of prizes per drawing.
 2. Theimproved lottery play slip of claim 1 further including an imprintedseries character representing a group of play slips, and used to benefita set number of play slip owners in the form of a bonus associated withthe lesser prizes of the game.
 3. The improved lottery play slip ofclaim 1 further including an additional playing field over and above thestandard number of fields, used to play a free game.
 4. The improvedlottery play slip of claim 1 further including an advertisement/sponsorspace to offset costs and render a fee for the right of a sponsor toadvertise on the play slips.
 5. A method to enhance player participationin a lottery, said method comprising the steps of: providing anincentive-based lottery play slip with features designed to increase thechances of all players winning at least some prize; providing animprinted serial number on the play slip which belongs only to thepurchaser of the card; and awarding a set number of prizes per drawingbased on the serial number.
 6. The method to enhance playerparticipation in a lottery of claim 5 further including the step of:providing a space for advertising on the play slip to offset costs andrender a fee for the right of a sponsor to advertise on the play slips.7. The method to enhance player participation in a lottery of claim 5further including the step of: providing one or more extra playingpanels or fields over and above the standard number of fields for a freegame.
 8. The method to enhance player participation in a lottery ofclaim 5 further including the step of: providing a series character onthe play slip representing a group of play slips, and providing bonusassociated with the lesser prizes of the game.